7.22.2008

BlogHer Role Modeling

I was excited to finally meet my co-panelist Vicki Forman. She lives and breathes and writes (and teaches) literature. She has the strength and talent to describe her own harrowing parenting experiences without resorting to melodrama, or detachment. She is a role model for any person with writerly aspirations.

She is also raising a strong, independent preteen girl in our body image-obsessed and materialistic society, and I wanted to get her advice, wanted to ask how she innoculates her daughter against toxic media messages. Her response: she surrounds her daughter with strong, principled, women; with role models.

The openness, honesty, and support at that panel are all things I wish I could have experienced at age nine - your daughter is lucky indeed. (And she's always been wise beyond her years, at least from what I've seen.)

Again, congratulations for an amazing panel. I have been awed at the communications I've had with the people in that room since that day. I've been amazed at the grace these women have. I've been thankful for how much these women can teach me.

Shannon,I realized that I shared this item in my google reader but forgot to comment. Your own grace, intelligence and humor will be more than enough for your daughter, and I am honored to call you friend.